Liquid conditioning system



Dec. "2; 1941. c. KNoxV LIQUID ZCONDTIONING SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Shee't. l v

Fi'led April 20, 1939 A ToN EY KNox LIQUID CONDITIONING I SYSTEM Dec. 2, 1941o 3 Sheets-Sheetl 2 Filed April 20, 1939 vvvveflrrll( INENTOR Chor/es' ff/70x. BY

A 'roNEY Dec. 2, 1941. C, KNQX 2,264,385

LIQUID CONDITIONING SYSTEM Filed April 2o, 1939 s sheets-sheet s WNN .www m Y .NNN

- NQ M www@ I @f :..w wlw www., al ww WH, N, um. wm, Il

N .mw

Patented Dec. 2, 1941 I' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 'LIQUID comnm srs'rEM .......I;.'..;... Sai.: 11 Clalml. (Cl. 624) This' invention relates to liquid conditioning systems and more particularly to systems of this kind wherein a liquid from a given source of supply is conditioned and then held in its conditioned state as a supply to be drawn upon as desired for subsequent use. f

More particularly the invention relates to a .liquid cooling system for use in bottling or like of the solenoid valve for controlling the liquid of the iloat-controlled electric switch responsive plants requiring water for conditioning or other level of liquid in the draw-oil? controlled valve for controlling now in the high pressure refrigerant line in responsel to varia.-

tions in level of liquid Vrefrigerant in the surge drum.'

Figfl is an irregular section through the surge drum float valve on the line 1 1, Fig. `(i.

Fig.. 8 is a vertical section through the pressure actuated valve for controlling'ilow oi coolthe cooled liquid, and wherein supply of liquid time as the cooling medium is in a condition best suited to properly condition the liquid.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a system of this character wherein temperature of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger is held at but slightly below that of the iinal desired temperature of the liquid to be conditioned while the system is in operation, thereby avoiding frosting of the heat exchanger coil and securing substantially constant temperature of the cooled liquid, regardless of variation inquantity or temperature of the supplied liquid.

' It is a further object`- of the invention to regulate supply of refrigerant automatically in proportion to the demand for the heat transfer.'

It is a further objectY of the invention to provide .automatic shut-down of the refrigerating equipment in .the event 'of accidental discontinuance of supplyof cooling liquid to the condenser. Q q

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided novel electrical control and combination of controls of owot cooling liquid and refrigerant, the Vpreferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. wherein:

Fig. 1 is a iiow sheet and circuit diagram illustrating a preferred form of equipment.

Fig. 2 is a detail vertical cross-sectional view ing liquid to and from the condenser.

Fig. 9 is en elevational view of the highA end' Y Fig. l is similar to Fig. 9 with the switch of the control shown in closed position.

Referring more in detail to the drawings? .I designates a supply line for furnishing water to. be cooled in heat exchanging flow over the coil 2 of a refrigerating apparatus of expansion for draw-off through a line 6 leading from a low point'in the tank, for bottling or other use. The

tank is of a capacity to supply water up to thel maximum demand of the bottling or other requirements, and is provided with legs 5, whereby it may be supported above a Viio'or 6. The tank is of non-corrosive metal. foi` permanency and cleanliness, kexternally insulated against heat gain, open at the top to receive water from the coil, and provided with a cover 1 of a height to house the coil and having a lid 8 providing access to the coil and its associated parts.

The coil 2 is mounted over the tank on a suitable support, such as an open frame, including end legs 9 adapted to rest on bars I0 extending across the tank and supported by the-side walls thereof, and a top Il, formed as a pan, having a perforatedbottom I2 through which water fed to the pan through the line' I .is distributed evenly onto the top runs of the' coil.

'I3 (Fig. 3) designates a oat chamber conat a low point in the tank and containing a iioat I5 having rod connection I8 with the lever I1 of an electrical switch I8, preferably of conventional mercury type and therefore not described in detail. The float and switch mechanism is preferably balanced' through adjustable connection of the rod I 5 with a lever arm I8 pivotally mounted on a standard 28 on a switch housing 2l, and adjustable connection of the switch lever I1 with an arm 22 on the lever I8 which also provides a guide for the float rod I6, thereby permitting operation of the switch at variable ranges of level of water in the tank 3. The lever arm I8 is preferably providedwith an adjustable weight 24 to balance the float for delicate operation of the switch in response to change in level of water in the tank The float may, if desired, be located in the tank and operated in the manner described.

The float switch I8 controls supply of liquid refrigerant and of water to be cooled to the coil 2 under control of a master switch 25, of magnetic type. .in a three-phase circuit which supplies current `for the motor 26 of the refrigerating apparatus, and to the solenoid 21 controlling valve` 28 in the water line I, as presently more fully described.

The three-phase circuit supplying current for the motor and to the electrical equipment in the system includes service line wires 28, 38 and 3|, having contact points 32, 33 and 34 engageable by corresponding switch arms 35, 38 and 31 in conductive relation with wires 38, 39 and 40 leading to the motor. The switch is adapted to be closed and to be held against tension of a spring.

4I by a magnet, indicated by coil 42, in the circuit indicated by wire 43 leading from service wire 3| to contact 44 (Fig. 9) in a high pressure` cut-outand suction control switch 45, presently `described more in detail, a wire 46 leading from contact 41 in switch 45, mercury switch I8 and wire 48. back to service wire 30. When the high pressure cut-out and suction control switchI just mentioned is closed, as it will be when the refrigerating apparatus is functioning properly..

and when the float switch Vis closed, as it will be when water to be cooled is being drawn from the storage tank in normal quantities for its intended use, the master switch will be held closed. However, should either of said 4control switches be opened, as in response to an abnormal operation of the refrigerating apparatus, or an excessive accumulation of water in the storage tank in response to interruption in demand on the tank,

`breaking of the circuit in magnet 42-wi1l release the master switch to automatic opening undery tension of spring 4I, thus stopping the motor and discontinuing operation of the refrigerating apparatus and other equipment responsive to pressure of the refrigerating medium or electrical current. as presently more particularly described.

The refrigerating apparatus employed in the systemk includes a compressor 5| connected, through discharge line 53, to condenser-receiver 54, through a liquid line 53a'to inlet of surgedrum 55, and, through the low pressure liquid line 53h, to the cooling coil 2. The upper end of the coil connects through line 56a, to the surge drum 55.

and, from surge drum 55. through suction lineA 58h and 58, to the compressor.

Located in the high pressure refrigerant line 53a, adjacent the surge drum, is a valve 51 lvalve 28, controlling supplyv of water in the line I, through wire 83 connected with wire 54 extending from the lead wire 88 through the magnetic coil of the-valve 28 and back to the` lead wire 38 through wire `85, through a pressure actuated switch 88, controlled by suction or low pressure inthe refrigerant line 58h; the wire 85 having a branch "connected with the coil of the `valve 51.

The pressure actuated switch 86 is preferably of conventional mercury type having a Bourdon tube 68 (Fig. 5) connected by linkage 88 with a mercury tube 10 so mounted that increase in pressure in theV tube breaks the circuit and decrease in pressure makes the circuit, so that while the motor is active and the pressure in the line 58 is below a predetermined maximum, liquid is supplied from the condenser to the surge drum, and the valve 28 in the line I is held open to supply water over the coil-toV the storagevtank. but when the master switch is opened in response to operation of the float switch I8, the liquid refrigerant and water supply lines are closed to prevent refrigerant supply to the coil which might result in flooding of the storage tank.

Located in the low pressure or suction line 58, between the surge drum 88 and compressor 5I, is

a back pressure regulator 1I, including a valve` frlgerant from the top of the surge drum to the compressor, and a piston 13 with which the valve is operatively connected; the device including a chamber 14 above the piston, communicating through a passage 15, controlled by a spring pressed diaphragm valve 18, with a chamber 11, connected, through a pilot line 18, with the top of the surge drum, so that pressure built up in thetop ofthe surge drum, in response to evaporation of the refrigerant in the coil, will be transmitted through the pilot line 18 to the chamber 11, lift the diaphragm valve 18 against its spring pressure and. act on the piston to force the valve 12 down against the pressure of a spring 18 and open the suction line to the compressor.

'Ihe regulator valve 12 is set to open at a predetermined pressure, indicated on a gauge 88 in the' pilot line, by means of an adjusting screw 8 I,` whereby the spring pressure on the diaphragm valve 18 may be varied to balance a predetermined pressure in the chamber 11.

The pressure actuated switch 88 is operable by fluid in. the suction line 58h at the coiLside of v the pressure regulator 1I and operates to retard l opening of the water supply valve 28 until the which, like valve 28 in the water line, is of 'conventional magnetically controlled (solenoid) type consisting of a body 58 (Fig. 2), provided with a pressure in the suction line has been reduced to a predetermined degree, thus insuring delay in supply of water to the heat exchange coil until the coil has been preliminarily cooled, thereby avoiding accumulation of water in the storage reservoir at a temperature higher than that desired for use.

'I'he solenoid magneto! valve 51 in the liquid refrigerant line 53a, being in parallel circuit with that of the valve 28 on thewater supply line, insures supply, of refrigerant to the surge drum and to the cooling coil whenever water is ilowerable at low level in the surge drum to open the line when the refrigerant in the surge drum reaches a low level, and automatically close the liquid line, regardless of solenoid valve 51, when liquid in the surge drum reaches a high level in response to accumulation of liquid refrigerant in the surge drum, as when the" liquid level rises due to evaporation of the liquid in the coils. desired, a thermostatic type liquid control valve may be used instead of the float type.

The float valve includes a body 83 v(Fig. 6) having communication with the drum through a pipe 84, and a rod 85, pivotally mounted in the body and extending through the pipe to support a oat 8S in the interior'of the drum, whereby fall of the liquid level causes the float to lift a valve 81, opening a passage 88 connected to the line 53a, permitting'flow of the refrigerant into the surge drum when the solenoid valve 51 is open as previously described; rising of the liquid level causing the valve to close the passage 88.`

Connected with the liquid line 53 and suction line 55 by feeder lines 89 and 90 respectively is thesafety cutout member 45. including a housing` Si (Fig. 9) Ahaving high and low pressure bellows 92 and 93 mounted in chambers 91% and S thereon and connected respectively with the feeder lines 89 and 90, the low pressure bellows 93 having a plunger ||0 bearing against a ver-v tically extending arm III of a bell crank I2 pivoted in the housing as at H3. A lateral arm Ht of the bell crank is connected by a link H5' te a switch arm IIS at a point spaced from the pivot -point ||1 so that pressure in the bellows causes the plunger to exert pressure on the bell v'crank which moves the link to pull the switch arm downwardly to engage the contact thereon with the contact 01 making the circuit between the wires d3 and 0B located in the main lead wire 3| through the holding coil 52. As the pressure in the bellows 93 decreases due to operation of the compressor, a permanent magnet I I8 holds the switch arm in circuit making position until the pressure of a spring IIS, as adjusted by a range nut |20, overcomes the pressure in the bellows and the attraction between the magnet and the switch arm, to move the at |25, snaps the lever |21 upwardly against the switch arm, raising said arm and breaking the circuit to stop the compressor.' When the pressure is` reduced, the toggle levers will be returned to normal position by a spring |28 so the switch arm will again be under control of the low pressure bellows. The circuit through the vholding coil and the motor circuit will therefore be controlled by the safety cutout, so the supply of' liquid to be conditioned and the fluid refrigerant may be discontinued in response to excessive high or sub-low pressuref in the refrigerant system.

Circulation of water through the-condenser 54 is effected through supply and return lines 91 and 38 under automatic control of a pressure actuated valve 99 inthe supply line 91. 99 is preferably ofthe direct diaphragm operated ,type shown in Fig. A8, including an upper chamber |00 connected througha line 0| with the compressor discharge line 53, so that when refrigerant is 'being kforced through the line 53, high pressure in the' line will move the diaphragm |02 and valve |03, connected thereto, against pressure of a spring |045, to open a passage |05 and permit flow of cooling water through the condenser. When the compressor is idle,

low pressure in line 53 will permit valve 99 to close and avoid needless flow of cooling water through the condenser. Y

It is desirable that the supply of water to be cooled be substantially the same as the requirements of the bottling machine or other use of the cooled water, thus preventing frequent starting and stopping of the compressor and other automatic devices. Therefore, a metering valve |06 is placed in the water line between the solenoid valve 28 and the cooling coil 2. This valve isv preferably of conventional hand regulating type, so that the user, knowing the requirements for cooled water, may set the valve to practically equalize the quantity of water fed to the cooler with that required for use.

' flow of water at the metering vvalve forany setbell crank and link and lift the switch arm, thus separating contacts 46 and 41 to break the circuit through the wires 43 and 05 whereby the circuit through the holding coil is broken and the switch E5 opened automatically to stop, flow of refrigerant through the coil and supply of water over the coil. Y

Adjustment of pressure of the spring ||9 by the range nut |20 determines the differential of pressure of the fluid in the line 90 required between the making and breaking of the cricuit and therefore determines the normal range of suction pressure in the refrigerant system.

Should the discharge pressure in line 53 reach a predetermined dangerous degree, the bellows 32 will move a plunger I2! against a lever. |22 piv. otally mounted at |23 and connected with a toggle lever |24 pivotally mounted as at |25 to the housing. The plunger i2| pivots the lever |22, which, in turn, lifts the lever |24 over center whereupon a spring |26 connecting the toggle lever |2 with a toggle lever |21 also pivoted ting of said valve, regardless of fluctuation in pressure in the supply line.

Other accessories, such as the conventional oil drain |98 in the liquid line between the surge drum and coil, not necessarily constituting features of the invention, but advantageous in the operation of the system, maybe supplied.

Assuming the system to Aberassembled as described, with the water line closed, the master switch' open,'and with water in the reservoir or storage tank, the operation is as follows:

The operator sets the pressure reducing valve |01 for the desired water-pr ssure and opens the' metering valve |06 to the p int correspondingto the known requirements for the cooledwater. When the apparatus requiring cooled water is started, the cooled water in" the storage tank is drawn through the pipe 4 to the point of use. The demand for water causes the level in the tank to recede, actuating iioat l5, closing the iioat switch I8 to complete circuit from the service wire 3|, through magnet coil 42,-wire 43, high pressure cutout and suction control switch 45, wire Q0, float switch I8 and wire 48 back to the service wire 30. "I'hemagnet 42, being energized, closes the master switch to provide current for y the motor. With the compressor 5| in operation, gaseous refrigerant is drawn from the surge Valve drum and pumped into the condenser, the flow of liquid refrigerant from the condenser to the surge drum being stopped by valve 51 to prevent flooding of the,system. VContinued operation of the compressor reduces the pressure in the surge drum and ycoil and the resulting evaporation of refrigerant cools the coil.

When pressure in the surge drum has been refduced to a point where the temperature of the coil is at the desired degree. pressure actuated switch 66 closes, completing the circuit from the lead wire 39, through wires 6l, solenoid valve 28, wire 65, and switch 60, to the lead wire 3l4 and wires 63 and 61 to solenoid'valve 51. Energizing of the solenoid 21 in the water valve 2l causes opening thereof to permit water to flow over the cooling coil and to be cooled on itsway to storage in the reservoir tank. Valve 51, being also.

opened, permits flow of liquid refrigerant to the surge drum, the refrigerant being circulated through the compressor discharge line 5l, condenser 54, surge drum 5I, coil 2, again through the drum on the suction side of the coil and the suction line 56 back to the compressor 5|; circulation of the refrigerant continuing Afor cooling the required amount of .water for bottling or other purposes.

When continued operation of reduces the pressurel in the surge drum to a predetermined minimum the .back pressure reguthe compressor duction of the suction pressure in line B6 and low @circulation of refrigerant automatically to supincrease the pressure in the surge drum causingy the regulator to modulate further, thus holding a constant pressure.

Since the metering valve IM is set for a water flow which approximately illls the demand for the cooled water, the compressor should continue operation during the period in which cooled wafter is required. However, should the supply of conditioned waterV asI set by the metering valve exceed the demand, and the water in the reservoir tank rise to a level, at which the oat valve operates to actuate the mercury switch Il and open the circuit through the magnetic coil 42, the master switch will be automatically opened to stop the compressor motor, thus interrupting flow `of the refrigerant simultaneously with interrup- Accumulation of excessive pressure in the liquid line leading from the compressor, or in the condenser, will cause the high pressure cutout to open the circuit-through the magnetic coil 42 and p'ermit the master-switch to open, thus stopl ping the-compressor, as well as closing the valve I 2l controlling supply of water to storage over the coil and valve-i1 controlling'fiow of refrigerant in the coil. j

Should the suction pressure in linel l! fall ply refrigerant according to the needs ofthe system and with safety to the apparatus, are insured.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

l. An apparatus of the character described including a heat exchanger, means including ys. compressor for'circulating a refrigerant through the heat exchanger, a storage reservoir, means for passing a liquid to be conditioned through the heat exchanger and to the storage reservoir, an electro-'magnetic device controlling supply of said liquid to the heat exchanger, a motor for operating the compressor, a current supply circuit for said motor. a magnetic switch in said current supply circuit, including a s'olenoid, a circuit connecting the electro-magnetic device with the current supply circuit and adapted to be energized upon closure of said magnetic switch. ak circuit connected with said current supply circuit including theV solenoid of said vmagnetic switch, a switch in theI last named cirdevice circuit responsive to pressure of said refrigerant incidental to operation of the compressor for controlling said electro-magnetic device. 2. An apparatus cf the character described including a heat exchanger, means including a compressor for circulating a refrigerant through the heat exchanger.; a storage reservoir, means lfor passing a liquid to be conditioned through the heat exchanger and to the storage reservoir. solenoid valves respectively controlling supplies of said liquid and refrigerant to the heat exl changer, a motorfor operating the compressor,

valves and the current supply circuit when the.

magnetic switch is closed, a circuit connected with said current supply circuit including the solenoid of said magnetic switch, a switch in said last named circuit responsive to fluctuations of level of conditioned liquid in the storage reservoir for effecting actuation of the compressor through ksaid magnetic switch, and a pressure actuated switch responsive to pressure of the refrigerant and connected in the solenoid valves circuit to open said valves when the magnetic switch is closed. f

3. An apparatus of the character described including a heat exchanger. means including a beloiirv a normal operating condition, which could occur if the -solenoid valve 28 lfailed to open,

thus preventing supply of water over the coil, orA

if refrigerant supply to the coil should fail, if valve 5l should stay closed, or if the back pressure regulator should fail to open, continued operation of the compressor' would result invia re-l compressor for circulating a refrigerant through the heat exchanger,` a storage reservoir, means for passing a liquid to be conditioned through the heat exchanger and to the storage reservoir, solenoid valves respectively controlling supplies ofsaidlliquid and refrigerant to the heat exchanger, a motor for operating the compressor, a current supply circuit for said motor, a magnetic .switch including a solenoid'in said current supply circuit. a circuit including said solenoid valves and the current supply circuit when the magnetic switch is closed, a circuit connected switch is closed, and a switch responsive to suction pressures of said compressor yfor opening the` magnetic switch independently of the conditioned liquid operable switch.

4. An apparatus of the character described including a heat exchanger having a, refrigerating coll, a surge drum connected with said-coil, a condenser having al refrigerant flow line connected with `the surge 4drum, a compressor, a discharge line connecting the compressor` with the condenser, a suction line connecting the surge drum with the inlet of the compressor, a storage reservoir, means for passing a liquid to be conditioned over the refrigerating coil and to the storage reservoir, a solenoid valvecontrolling now of said liquid to the coll, a solenoid valve in said refrigerant flow-line,

a motor for operating the compressor, a current' supply circuit for said motor, a magnetic switch including a solenoid in said current supply circuit, a circuit including said solenoid valves, va

circuit connected with said current supply circuit including the solenoid of said magnetic switch, a switch in the last named circuit responsive to flow demand of the conditioned liquid for controlling the current supply circuit,-and a pressure cooling coil, a line for supplying liquid to be pressor, a storage reservoir, means for passing a liquid to be conditioned over the refrigerating coil and to the storage reservoir, a solenoid. valve controlling flow of vsaid liquid 'to the coil, a solenoid valve in said refrigerant iiowv line, a

vmotor for operating the compressor,-V a current opening the magnetic switch independently oi.

its operation by the conditioned liquid operable switch.

' 6. A liquid conditioning system including a heat exchanger, lines for supplying cooling medium and liquid to be conditioned to the heat exchanger, a reservoir for liquid `conditioned by the 1- heat exchanger. an electro-magnetic device controlling the liquid supply line, a circuit Ti for said device, and separate means, one operable in response to change in level of liquid in said reservoir, the otherto change in condition of said cooling-medium, controlling saidy circuit. f 7. A liquid conditioning system including-a heat exchanger, lines for supplyingcooling... medium and liquid to-be conditioned to the'heatv exchanger, a reservoir for liquid conditionedbyf" the heat exchanger, an electro-magnetic device* controlling the -liquid supply line, a circuit for said device, a switch in saidcircuit operable to close in response to lowering of level lof liquid in said reservoir, and a second vswitch in said circuit operable in response todecrease in ypres.- sure o f the cooling medium in the system to close saidcircuit in lag relation to closure of the rst named switch. j

8. A liquid conditioning system Aincluding a heat exchanger, lines for supplying. cooling medium and liquid to be conditioned to the heat exchanger, a vreservoir for liquid conditioned by the heat exchanger, an electro-magnetic device controlling the liquid supply line," a circuit for said device, means operable in response'to change in level of liquid in said reservoir to close said circuit, a switch operable in response to change in pressure of the cooling mediumv in the system controlling closure of said circuit, and means under control of said pressure operable switch controlling admission of cooling medium to the heat exchanger.

9. A liquid conditioning system Aincluding a conditioned in heat exchange relation to the cooling coil, a storage reservoir for conditioned operating the compressor, a circuit' for said motor, cooling medium supply and return. lines connecting the compressor with opposite ends of the coil, a ioat in said reservoir, a switch operable byrsaid float controlling the motor circuit, a solenoid controlled valve for said liquid supply'line, a .circuit including the solenoid of said valve, connected 'with said motor circuit, and a switch in the valve circuit responsive to change in pressure -in said return line, operable in lag relation to evaporation of cooling medium in the coil.

' 10. A liquid conditioning system including a cooling coil, a line for supplying liquid to be conditioned in heat exchange relation to the cooling coil, a storage reservoir for conditioned liquid, a compressor, an electric motor for operating the compressor, a circuit for said motor, cooling medium supply and return lines connecting-the' compressor with opposite ends of the coil, a iioat in said reservoir, a switch operable by said oat controlling the motor circuit, a solenoid Voperable valve for said liquid supply line, a circuit including the solenoid of said valve, connected -with said motor circuit, a back pressure regulator in said return line, and a switch in the valve circuit operable in response to decrease in pressure in said return line to close said valve circuit.

11. A liquid conditioning system including a cooling coil, a line for supplying liquid to be conditioned in heat exchange relation to the.

cooling coil; a storage reservoir for conditioned liquid, a switch operable in response to change of level of liquid in said reservoir, a surge drum connected with opposite ends of 'the coil, a cornpressor having supply and suction lines connectedrwith said drum, a float valve controlling said supplyv line pursuant to change in level ci plying current to the motor. a magnetic switch having a solenoid, a circuit including'the scienoid oi said magnetic switch and the switch responsive to variation in level of liquid in said reservoir, a valve in said liquid supply line including a. solenoid, a circuit including the solenoid or said v alve, connected with the motor circuit, s. back pressure regulator in the suction 6 s I :,ogsss liquid cooling mediuminsaid drum, dmotor for operating the compresor. c.. circuit for supvc the su pressor to thc drum, includinz s solenoid, and scircuitin parallclwiththeliquidsupnlyiine valve circuit controlling scid last named valve.

CHARLES m'lOX. 

